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“Gene mutations don’t not discriminate between men and women, if it’s there it’s there.”

After her dad learned his prostate cancer was caused by a hereditary gene mutation and her sister discovered she had the same mutation, Emily received genetic testing with Myriad myRisk Hereditary cancer to see if she was also at risk. Learn more about if you may be at risk: https://myriad.com/november-family-health-history-month/

Ed Hoppe is a patient with prostate cancer who received genetic testing with the Myriad myRisk Hereditary Cancer test. From this test, he discovered he had a mutation in his BRCA1 gene, classifying his cancer as hereditary. Ed’s youngest daughter, Ellen Hoppe, took the myRisk test and found out she was positive for the same mutation. This inspired Ed’s oldest daughter, Emily Madden, to take the test and she too found out that she was BRCA1 positive.

“Growing up, I remember every time there was a funeral or someone passed away that was in my family it was like, well they had cancer – that is usually how they died,” said Emily.

After Emily found out that her father had prostate cancer and her sister tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, she decided she had to be tested right away. She was 10 weeks pregnant and going in for her first prenatal appointment for her second child, and at the same appointment she was going to take the myRisk Hereditary Cancer test to find out if she was BRCA1 positive.

“The next week my doctor called me and told me that I had positive results,” stated Emily. That is when she started reading more about the mutation and realized that there are other cancers besides breast and ovarian that individuals with the BRCA1 mutation could be susceptible to.

“I did get this gene mutation from my dad, there’s a 50/50 percent chance that my kids could have it,” said Emily.

Because of Emily’s extensive family history of cancer, she decided to undergo surgery after her child was born to reduce her risk of getting ovarian cancer.

“I had a full hysterectomy because I don’t want to leave my kids behind. I think it makes me hopeful that I will have a long life.” – Emily Madden.

To find out about hereditary cancer risk for you and your family, take our Hereditary Cancer Quiz.

Ellen is BRCA1 positive, inheriting the mutation from her father who has prostate cancer. “Gene mutations don’t discriminate between men and women.” See the steps Ellen took to find out her risk, and click here to find out if you may be at risk of hereditary cancer: https://myriad.com/november-family-health-history-month/

We shared a story about Ed Hoppe and his prostate cancer. After Ed’s diagnosis, he received genetic testing and learned about a mutation in his BRCA1 gene, classifying his cancer as hereditary. Ed’s daughter Ellen decided to take the myRisk Hereditary Cancer test and discovered she had inherited the BRCA1 mutation from her father.

“Cancer has always kind of been in the family somewhere,” said Ed’s youngest daughter, Ellen Hoppe.

“We found out that my Aunt Peggy, who lived in Memphis, had been diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.” Stated Ellen. “When I was in eighth grade my Aunt Peggy passed away.”

Ellen talks about her Aunt Beanie that also had ovarian cancer, which is when she realized that there was some kind of family connection. Ellen’s two daughters were her motivation to get tested to understand if she was at an increased risk of developing cancer within her lifetime.

“I think I heard in high school that there was a test that could tell you if you had this genetic mutation that makes you more likely to have breast or ovarian cancer.”

Ellen’s two aunts that had ovarian cancer are her father Ed’s sisters. Ellen didn’t think that she could get the gene mutation from her dad because it was usually associated with breast and ovarian cancer. She went to her doctor, gave her the family history, and got tested for the mutation. Her results came back positive for a mutation in BRCA1. Ellen’s doctor informed her that the gene mutation can manifest in men.

“Gene mutations don’t not discriminate between men and women, if it’s there it’s there.”

“It has been a relief to know that this is what’s going on. Knowing that I am doing what I can, it makes me feel more confident and more secure that I am not leaving things up to chance.” – Ellen Hoppe.

To find out about hereditary cancer risk for you and your family, take our Hereditary Cancer Quiz.

Ed was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his urologist, Dr. Goodson, used the Prolaris Test to determine that he needed a more aggressive approach with his treatment. Learn more about Prolaris: https://prolaris.com/

After going to a routine checkup in the spring of 2017, Ed Hoppe was told that his PSA level was elevated and was referred to a local urologist, Dr. Goodson, for prostate cancer evaluation. When his pathology report determined that he had prostate cancer, Dr. Goodson ordered a Prolaris test to find out the aggressiveness of his cancer before determining treatment.

“Given the aggressive scale of his Prolaris results, I recommended definitive treatment and outlined options including radiation with hormone deprivation therapy,” said Dr. Goodson.

Ed also had an extensive family history of cancer that included prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer. His family history combined with the aggressiveness of his disease led Dr. Goodson to order a myRisk Hereditary Cancer Test. Knowing one’s hereditary cancer risk can dramatically impact medical management.

“We believe this ought to be obtained on anyone that has an intermediate grade or higher of prostate cancer,” said Dr. Goodson.

Ed’s myRisk results came back positive for a mutation on BRCA1, meaning his prostate cancer was caused by an inherited faulty gene that encourages the disease to grow. Sons and daughters of someone with a gene mutation have a 50% chance of having that same mutation. In Ed’s case, his two daughters tested positive for the gene mutation, increasing their risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

“It had affected my family as much as it had affected just me. My two daughters have since learned they are positive.”

“Like a pebble in a pond, you know the ripples keep on coming out and in fact, there are 46 people in Ed’s extended family that may benefit from this information” stated Dr. Goodson.

Ed’s family can now take proactive steps like increased screening starting at earlier ages to prevent and reduce their risk of developing certain cancers.

If you have a family history of cancer you should provide that information to your physician and ask if you qualify for genetic testing. You could be the key to learning you and your family’s hereditary cancer risk.

“Knowledge is power I think somebody said.” – Ed Hoppe

Watch this informative video about what you need to know about genetics and your risk for hereditary cancer. Learn more about genetic testing for hereditary cancer, including BRCA testing by visiting https://myriad.com.

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